North Campus

Skiing polar bear

The North Campus area of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a unique and valuable resource for the university. North Campus consists of approximately 1,100 acres of largely forested land on the north-to-northwest side of campus. The area provides valuable research, education, and recreation opportunities for UAF faculty, staff and students, visiting educators and scientists, and community members.

Farewell Jason Garron, Welcome Todor Yakimov

Todor and Jason with the Sherpa

Hello, Campus Trails community. We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to an individual who has devoted the past 16 years to the development, growth, and maintenance of our campus trails system: Jason Garron. Having spent more than a decade caring for our North Campus Trails, Jason has decided that it’s time to embark on a new chapter in life, and is ready to pass the maintenance torch to another committed individual.
In October of 2007, Jason joined the Grounds Department, stepping into the newly established position of Trails Maintenance Supervisor. Since then, he has tirelessly dedicated countless hours to the care and enhancement of our trail system, ensuring their beauty and functionality. Throughout the winter months, Jason consistently arrived in the early hours to ensure trails were groomed and in optimal condition for users throughout the day. Weekends were no different, with Jason often coming in on his days off to ensure that courses were safe and prepared for events, always helping wherever necessary. In the summer, Jason would be looking ahead to the upcoming winter trails usage, spending his time making improvements such as resurfacing trails, cutting back trees and brush, creating new walking trails, and installing signage. He would also ensure the very popular disc golf course was maintained and ready for use. With Jason at the helm, we always had full confidence that our trails received the highest level of care and dedication. Though we are saddened by his departure, we are thrilled and excited for the new adventure he's embarking on, knowing he will do amazing things in his new role. Jason, we cannot express our thanks enough for everything you have done, happy trails my friend!
With Jason's departure, we were tasked with finding someone who could match his level of care and dedication to our trails. It is with great pleasure that we introduce Todor Yakimov to our team. Todor brings with him a profound love for the outdoors and a wealth of experience in outdoor recreation. Todor holds a degree from the National Sports Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he specialized in mountaineering and guiding. His education also encompasses alpinism, white water rafting, water rescue, and skiing, just to name a few. Following graduation, Todor worked at a mountain resort, where he cared for and maintained trails. Additionally, he spent a many years as a downhill ski instructor, showcasing his expertise in the field. Todor's passion for skiing remains strong, and he continues to enjoy recreational skiing, often venturing into the mountains on snow machines for this purpose. We are excited about this new chapter and feel fortunate to have Todor join our team. We are eagerly looking forward to the progress and improvements he will bring to our trails system. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome, and we kindly ask for your patience as he familiarizes himself with our trails and settles into his new role.

 

To host an event or start a research project contact

Phone: 907-474-5903
Fax: 907-474-5656

Mailing: 
P.O. Box 757380
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Physical: 
803 Alumni Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775

North Campus Manager

Brittany Van Eck

Phone: 907-474-5903
Email: bvaneck@alaska.edu

 

Trails Manager

Todor Yakimov

Phone:
907-474-7000
Email:
tnyakimov@alaska.edu

User guidelines

Winter use of the North Campus area has designated ski, walking, and snowshoe and dog-friendly trails. During the summer, trails are multi-use. Users are encouraged to follow trail etiquette and respect everyone’s right to use the trails.

Things to remember when out and about in the North Campus area:

North Campus Plan (Image)
North Campus Plan
  • Tread lightly
  • Stay on designated trails
  • Do not disturb research projects, plots, markers or equipment
  • No camping
  • No fires
  • Respect the wildlife — enjoy watching, but don’t hassle them
  • No hunting or trapping
  • Only authorized vehicles allowed access, when conditions allow
  • Carry in, carry out. Please respect the area — don’t litter
  • No walking, snowshoeing, biking or taking dogs on designated ski trails
  • Carry a trail map and be familiar with it
  • Try not to skate ski over the classic tracks
  • Let others know that you are approaching them from behind by calling out “track” or “on your left”
  • Move off the trail as quickly as possible after a fall to avoid collisions
  • Fill in any holes made after a fall
  • Downhill skiers have the right of way
  • Follow the direction of the trail; ski to the right on two-way trails
  • Move off the trail to allow grooming equipment to pass
  • Remember that you too were once a beginner
  • Enjoy the trails!
  • Summer trails are open to all non-motorized use
  • Wet and muddy areas are more vulnerable to damage. When the trail is soft, avoid the area
Excerpt of UAF Policy 05.09.001
  • The animal shall be restrained at all times.
  • The animal handler or owner shall be responsible for the immediate disposal of animal waste
  • Animals may not be tethered to university buildings, structures, motor vehicles, trees, railings, light poles, benches, parking meters, posts, etc.
  • The handler or owner shall assume all financial responsibility for damage to property or injury to individuals caused by the animal. 

Trail conditions and grooming

Grooming 

Spring 2024: Please see the North Campus Facebook Pages for Grooming Reports

Trails Trail Type Distance in KM Groomed Tracks Set
Lighted Trails        
Stadium Skate/Double Classic .27 1/17 3/16
Potato Field Skate/Single Classic .69 3/15 3/16
Learning Area Skate/Double Classic   1/17  
T-Field Road Skate/Double Classic 1.29 3/15 3/16
Lighted Loop Skate/Classic   3/15  
Unlighted Trails        
Midnight Express Loop Skate/Single Classic 1.77 1/18 1/17
T-Field Skate/Single Classic 1.35 3/15 3/16
T-Field Smith Lake Connector Skate/Double Classic .66 1/17 1/16
T-Field Smith Lake Connector Classic Only 1.05 1/18 1/18
Smith Lake Access Trail Skate   1/15  
Smith Lake Skate/ Classic 1.13 3/15 3/16
Estle Connector Skate/Single Classic 1.16 1/17 3/16
Karl Reishus Trail Skate/Single Classic 1.05 1/17 1/16
Skarland Trail (N of Ballaine Lake) Skate/Single Classic 1.93 1/17 3/16
Skarland Trail (S of Ballaine Lake) Skate/Single Classic 1.29 1/17 3/16
Skarland Estle to LARS Classic Only 1.21 1/18 1/18
Viereck Nature Trail Skate/Single Classic .48 3/15 1/17
Beaver Slide Trail Classic Only .73 1/18 1/18
Baseline Trail Classic Only 1.29 1/18 1/18
Turn Around Trail Classic Only .48 1/18 1/18
T-Field to Beaver Slide Classic Only .19 1/18 1/18
Big Whizzy Loop Skate/Single Classic 2.57 3/15 1/17
SRC Trail Commuter trail 1.01 1/19  
Walking & Snowshoe         
Tanana Loop to Farmers Loop Walking & Snowshoe .68 1/18  
Smith Lake Walking & Snowshoe .68 1/18  
Cutler Apt Loop Walking & Snowshoe   1/18  
Commuter Trails        
T-Field Road Commuter 1.29 1/18  
T-Field to LARS Commuter .71 1/18  
Sheep Creek Road  Commuter   1/18